Podcast Summary: FantasyPros – Jake Ciely’s Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets For Week 8 (Ep. 1784)
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (FantasyPros Edition)
Date: October 21, 2025
Host(s): Joey P. (Joe Pisapia) & Jake Ciely (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode serves as a deep-dive into the top fantasy football waiver wire targets for NFL Week 8. Host Joey P. and guest Jake Ciely break down running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends who could provide critical depth during the “bipocalypse” (six teams on bye) and explain how injuries and team contexts are creating unexpected value on the wire. The episode is highly focused on actionable advice delivered in a conversational, pragmatic, and slightly humorous tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Arizona Cardinals’ Running Back Dilemma: Bam Knight

Timestamps: [00:35]–[03:26]

• Joey P. opens by highlighting Bam Knight’s situation with the Cardinals, who out-touched Michael Carter significantly in Week 7—but with Trey Benson looming to return.
• Jake Ciely: "I don't think any of us know exactly what that's going to look like by the time we get to the weeks that [Benson] is actually returning..." [03:26].
• Advice: Pick up Bam Knight as a short-term speculative add or trade chip, but expect heavy volatility once Benson returns (projected Week 11+).
• Joey P.: “This isn’t Chuba Hubbard and Rico Daddle…get the heck away while you can.” [02:41]

2. Chiefs Backfield: Rashard Smith’s Emerging Value

Timestamps: [03:26]–[06:00]

• Kareem Hunt’s injury opens the door for Rashard Smith, who provided receiving value (5/42) on top of 14 carries in a Chiefs blowout loss.
• Jake: “Smith has Jerick McKinnon appeal, but he’s not quite McKinnon. Remember, Jerick McKinnon…was an RB3 with weekly RB2 even…there were weeks where he was an RB1.” [04:33]
• Advice: Smith is a viable RB3 in PPR formats if Hunt is out, but usage concerns (no pass blocking trust, minimal goal-line work) cap the upside.

3. Miami WR Options Amidst Injuries: Malik Washington

Timestamps: [06:00]–[07:41]

• The Dolphins could be without Jalen Waddle (and potentially Darren Waller), making Malik Washington a speculative add.
• Joey P.: “There’s potential for no Jalen Waddle or Darren, which now you’re like ‘oh my gosh, who’s left for the Dolphins?’” [06:18]
• Acknowledges tough matchup vs. Atlanta and general Miami chaos; Washington is boom/bust, but the massive bye week means desperate managers need to consider him.

4. Chargers Tight End Upside: Oronde Gadsden Jr.

Timestamps: [07:58]–[10:45]

• Gadsden, a rookie tight end, is emerging with back-to-back strong performances (most recently 7/164/1). Free in many leagues.
• Joey P.: “It’s not mutually exclusive to say Gadsden is a tight end option, but also to say…let’s not overreact.” [08:57]
• Gadsden’s value is elevated during bye weeks, but week-to-week volatility is likely as the Chargers juggle WR injuries and returning players.
• Tip: Pick him up if you need an upside tight end, but expect some dud weeks.

5. Bears Backfield Shakeup: Kyle Monangai’s Breakout

Timestamps: [10:45]–[13:18]

• Monangai had his best week (13 carries, 81 yds, TD) and is drawing comparisons to David Montgomery’s role in Ben Johnson’s offense.
• Jake Ciely: “He will be an RB3 this week against the Ravens. I can tell you that already.” [13:18]
• Consensus: Both believe the rushing split with Swift is here to stay; great pickup for needy managers during the heavy bye week.

6. New York Giants Running Back Depth: Tyrone Tracy

Timestamps: [13:44]–[15:32]

• Tracy had a solid second half and scored, but his value is deeply tied to game script and the health of Scattabo.
• Joey P.: “Tracy is one Scattaboo injury away from having this job back.” [15:21]
• Only for the most desperate RB-needy teams but worth a bench stash.

7. Deep RB Stashes: Bayshawn Tootin & Isaiah Davis

Timestamps: [16:21]–[17:14]

• Tootin: “Don’t forget about Tootin…a 50/50 split if he’s involved, and then all of a sudden he does have the 60%.” [16:53]
• Davis: Immediate plug-and-play if Breece Hall is injured/traded; Jets offense in shambles, but still valuable for fantasy due to RB volume.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Cardinals backfield:
  “This isn’t one where you’re like, oh, I want to start both of them as top 20 options. This is get the heck away while you can.” — Joey P. [02:41]

• On fantasy managers coping with bye weeks:
  “Please don’t even get me started about these bipocalypse weeks because it’s only unnecessary. ... Why can’t we just do 8 weeks of four?” — Jake Ciely [07:41–07:50]

• On Oronde Gadsden’s upside:
  “It’s not mutually exclusive to say Gadsden is a tight end option, but also to say…let’s not overreact and he’s not going to be an every week option…” — Joey P. [08:57]

• On Bears RB Kyle Monangai:
  “He will be an RB3 this week against the Ravens. I can tell you that already.” — Jake Ciely [13:18]

• On Giants backup RBs:
  “Tracy is one Scattaboo injury away from having this job back.” — Joey P. [15:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Bam Knight & Cardinals backfield: [00:35]–[03:26]
• Rashard Smith/Chiefs RB situation: [03:26]–[06:00]
• Malik Washington/Miami WRs: [06:00]–[07:41]
• Oronde Gadsden Jr./Chargers TE: [07:58]–[10:45]
• Kyle Monangai/Bears RB: [10:45]–[13:18]
• Tyrone Tracy/Giants RBs: [13:44]–[15:32]
• Deep stashes – Tootin, Davis: [16:21]–[17:14]

Conclusion

This episode provides sharp, actionable advice for fantasy football managers navigating the challenges of Week 8’s massive byes and injury fallout. Joey P. and Jake Ciely emphasize short-term utility (“ride it until the wheels fall off”) and realistic expectations (“don’t overreact”), while encouraging managers to make speculative adds with the future in mind. Their banter and inside jokes help the advice land with clarity and personality—an engaging listen for anyone looking to grind the wire for championship upside.